Vice President, Public Affairs Communications – Job #3654

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Are you a strategic communications expert who loves advocacy and is waiting for a unique opportunity to represent something you can believe in?

The GoWest Credit Union Association is a fast-paced regional trade association serving credit unions in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Vice President, Public Affairs Communications, to lead and deliver strategic advocacy communications for efforts at the state and federal level. This position plays a critical role in strategically positioning credit unions within the financial policy landscape, ensuring that their unique value proposition is clearly communicated to legislators and key stakeholders. This requires a multifaceted approach, utilizing a variety of channels such as op-eds, letters to the editor (LTEs), testimony, and targeted messaging to effectively advocate for credit unions’ interests.

We offer a smart working environment that provides flexibility and choice for our team members. Employees have the flexibility to work where it makes sense for them to be successful in their roles in supporting the organization’s priorities. This position offers the flexibility of working remotely from within one of our regional states (AZ, CO, ID, OR, WA, & WY) or in one of our offices (AZ, CO, ID, OR, & WA).

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead GoWest Credit Union Association’s advocacy communications strategy in a fast-paced, multi-jurisdictional environment, navigating six unique state legislative sessions, Congress, and regulatory agencies simultaneously—to ensure clear, compelling, and consistent messaging.
• Partner with and advise GoWest’s advocacy professionals on communication strategies, tools, and messaging components to support credit unions’ proactive and defensive advocacy efforts.
• Develop and manage the Advocacy Communications Plan and production calendar utilizing Air Table and other Association tools, to ensure deadlines and high-quality standards are met.
• Lead and evaluate advocacy stakeholders’ communications/collateral/design requests, and make strategic recommendations for appropriate messaging, channels, and deadlines.
• Assist with legislative and regulatory Calls to Action, ensuring clear and compelling communications that drive members and elected representatives to respond and support the association’s position.
• Engage membership in helping GoWest Credit Union Association establish and maintain a suite of credit union stories that demonstrate the need for Government Affairs’ legislative and regulatory positions and that prove where policy advancement has been effective for credit unions, consumers, and communities.
• Lead strategic deployment of public affairs communications collateral in stakeholder meetings, events, and in advocacy-focused paid and earned media.
• Support the Association’s public relations and media outreach, crisis consultation to member credit unions as needed, and help to proactively position credit unions “in the news” as solutions-providers, go-to resources for consumers, and other positive services provided.
• Collaborate with Association verticals as needed to raise positive awareness of the Credit Union Movement.

Requirements

The ideal candidate for this position will have a minimum of 7 years’ experience in strategic public affairs communications, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. Experience in a credit union or financial industry is preferred. They must be an exceptional writer and editor, adept at distilling complex legislative and advocacy issues into accessible, compelling content that not only informs but also motivates action.

Salary ranges from $90,000 – 120,000 depending on experience. This position is eligible for a variable pay program which has a potential 10% of base salary earnings. Employees (and dependents 50%) are covered by medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short- and long-term disability. Employees are eligible to enroll in our 401k plan. New employees will accrue 15 days of vacation and 8 days of paid time off. In addition, employees will enjoy eleven paid holidays and two floating holidays.

GoWest Credit Union Association is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Salary Description

$90,000–120,000 depending on experience

Learn more here